Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Monica Marlow's Here TODAY!

I'm so excited because Monica Marlowe is here today, talking about her book, Finding Felicity!. You'll want to read on and comment. Why? She's giving away a $25 GC to Amazon, that's why. I'm psyched. Click the cover to buy and the banners to continue following her tour. Thanks to Goddess Fish for setting up the tour. But let's get going with the interview!! What was your favorite scene to write in Finding Felicity?

The scene when Madeline first meets Anthony. They are in a restaurant in Rome and their meeting comes as a complete surprise to Madeline, catching her off her usual guard.

What was the inspiration behind Finding Felicity?

I spent a weekend once at a monastery in Santa Barbara. One monk in particular surprised me by wearing jeans and a black polo shirt, and I’m not embarrassed to say that he was handsome! When I started thinking about a character like Madeline, the successful CEO of a lingerie company, I wondered what would happen if she found herself staying at a monastery. The story took off from there.

What is the most interesting thing you’ve done in the name of research?

The research for this book was really rather mundane; I flushed out the details online. I had drawn on past experiences instead of doing research in real life – if was already done!

What do you consider as the most frustrating side of becoming a published author and what has been the most rewarding?

The most frustrating part is the rejection letters; the whole process takes so long! The most rewarding is hearing from readers that they loved the book, that it touched them. I’m surprised at how happy it makes me to make people cry.

What accent inspires you to do naughty things?

Australian … omigosh.

Name something readers would be surprised to learn about you?

That I’ve never married and have no wish to be married. I like living alone!

If you could ask the readers one question what would it be?

What would it take for you to try a new genre?

What’s your writing process like?

When I have a clear goal, I’m very disciplined. I set the alarm early, and make a commitment to write for the length of my favorite CD to write to, the soundtrack to Shakespeare in Love. Usually, I find that I can keep writing once the CD is over.
What can readers expect next from you?

My next book is a memoir, The Gift Horse. I acquired my first horse in my forties and that first year was filled with surprises, so I’m writing to tell the tale.

What is the best thing about being a writer? The worst?

I love that I can imagine being so many different things … live so many lives through my writing. The worst is worrying about my work going unread.

What is your method of breaking through writer’s block?

I will read. I have a theory that everything in life has its “flip side”, the other side of the coin. Selling is the flip side of buying. Reading is the flip side of writing. A good story helps get my creativity flowing again.

What fuels you as an author to continue to write?

My list of 17 titles to finish!

Can you tell us a bit about what book(s) you have coming out next and what you’re working on now?

Right now, I don’t have any new releases in the pipeline, so I’m working on the manuscript for The Gift Horse.

When you get a chance to read, what books do you love to read?

I devour books about personal growth and development. Marianne Williamson and Dr. Wayne Dyer are two of my favorites. I love fiction, too. Kristin Hannah and Elizabeth Berg are two authors who inspired me to try my hand at writing.

What bores you as a reader?

Characters that I can’t relate with at all. If I can’t emotionally engage, I’m just not interested.

What is your favorite feature on a person?

Their eyes, definitely.

What is your favorite time of day?

Twilight – I just love the golden cast of light as the sun sets!

What music gets you dancing?

Oh dear. Disco!

Aliens have landed on the planet. What are the three things you would tell them that are great about this planet?

Sushi. Niagara Falls. The 17-mile drive in California … breathtaking!

You have been locked in a mall and told you can get anything you want and when they open in the morning you won’t have to pay a single cent. What stores would you hit? Better question how would you haul away all your loot?

I would raid clothing stores for a whole new wardrobe; things have gotten a little dated, I’m afraid. I’d also scoop up some children’s clothes to donate. And I’d have to stop at pet store and pick up things for dogs and cats to donate to a shelter or rescue. There’s really not a lot I’d need! I have a friend with a pick-up truck and a horse trailer … perfect for hauling loot!

If you could share one major writing tip, to help other writers in their quest for publication, what would it be?

Write every single day without exception. Do as I say, not as I do J

If you could write in any other genre what would it be, and why?

I would spiritual books because I truly believe that our connection to the divine is what can change the world and make it better.

Where can we find out more about you and your work?

www.monicamarlowe.blogspot.com

And finally, have you got a sneak peek excerpt from your current work in progress you can share with my readers and me? The hotter the better!

Well … my next book is a memoir about me and my horse. So while it’s a love story, there’s nothing steamy to share!
Want to know more about Monica? Here's the official bio!

Monica Marlowe was born in Toronto and later moved to Los Angeles. While in LA, Monica studied the craft of novel writing and participated in the Noel Hynd Workshop. She holds a Master of Arts Degree in Spiritual Psychology. Now, Monica makes her home in North Carolina and divides her time between the East and West Coasts. Monica is currently writing a memoir, The Gift Horse, about acquiring her first horse and finding herself on a most unexpected path. Monica writes stories about heroes and heroines who follow their heart, wherever the path may lead, knowing that the heart has reasons of its own.

Here's the links: http://monicamarlowe.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/monicamarlowe

http://www.facebook.com/monicamarlowe

Book Video: http://www.blazingtrailers.com/show/1645/

Madeline O'Connor was happy. Or was she? When she learns that her estranged sister is gravely ill, she leaves behind her life in Manhattan to be at her sister's side in Italy. There, she discovers an ancient Benedictine monastery that accommodates travelers, and she decides to stay there, among the monks. Everything in her life turns upside down when she falls for Brother Anthony Lamberti, a soft-spoken Italian completely different from the men she knows in New York.

Together Madeline and Anthony find love for the first time, and learn that life and love always find a way. Loving Anthony creates a new life for Madeline. A new life she would never have imagined and yet is perfect for her in every way.



Have an excerpt! Today he wore a crisp white shirt that set off his olive complexion. Slim fitting jeans. His eyes seemed darker. Pools of sweet dark chocolate. Bitter - sweet dark chocolate.

His eyes widened at the sight of her.

“Oh! Hello.” Madeline was at a loss for words. Her cheeks burned at the memory of their first meeting.

“Buon giorno.” He pursed his lips, trying to conceal amusement at her obvious embarrassment.

“Well, this is quite a coincidence, isn't it?” Madeline was beginning to recover. Maybe staying at the monastery was not such a bad idea after all. Casually her eyes glanced at his left hand. No wedding ring. Perhaps there was a God.

7 comments:

Mary Preston said...

Great interview. If a favorite author wrote an unfamiliar genre I would jump right in. Impressive reviews beg me to try new genres too.

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Unknown said...

Hey Monica Your blog hop seems to be going great.

Kele Moon said...

Great interview. . . And you know, it never takes much to get me to try a new genre. . . Sometimes the one I resist the most as the ones i end up loving the best!!

:D

Kele

Wendi Zwaduk and Megan Slayer said...

Hi Monica!! Glad you could be here for the interview and tour. I enjoyed learning about you and can't wait to read the book. Thanks to all those who've commented!!

Robin said...

Great post and excerpt! If I like an author I will read any genre they write...


Robin D
robindpdx (at) yahoo (dot) com

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the interview! It's always interesting to hear what an author's writing process was like!

chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com

Maria D. said...

Fun interview! Sushi would be a great thing to tell aliens about...lol...thanks for the givewaway

junegirl63(at)gmail(dot)com